5 Affordable Cars

With The Most Impressive 0-60 Times

[And Won't Break The Bank]

by Bill Flitter

Dad, Coffee Lover, Coach, First Car: '79 Camaro

“Speed. I feel, the need, for speed.” Queue the electric guitar riff, hear the bass starts to thump, and then listen as Sheryl Crow belts out, “Well I’m American made, but I like Chevrolet, my momma taught me wrong from right…” and next thing you know you’re flying down the highway in a suped up sports car with an impressive 0-60 time.

Maybe you’re hauling back from Costco with boxes of toilet paper and potato chips and you just want to think you’re gone, Real Gone. I know, from personal experience, that my wife likes to treat her Honda CR-V as a sports car and that driving fast is not something you outgrow. Here now, without further delay, is a list of street-legal cars that can accelerate quicker than the average SUV.

5 Super Cars Within “Reach” – If You Have A Few Extra Dollars

Before we look at the 5 affordable cars with the fastest 0-60 time, let’s dream a bit. These first 5 cars may not fit most budgets. However, if you did well selling bitcoin or in Calfornia real-estate, they may be within reach. None the less, they act as a barometer when comparing the 5 cars for the working man’s budget. If speed is your thing, would you spend $40K to go just as fast as a car that costs twice as much?

Nissan GT-R

While the Nissan GT-R isn’t exactly a Sentra, it is more accessible than say a Lamborghini or a Ferrari. And while the hundred thousand dollar price tag isn’t exactly affordable, it’s still in the price range of a Tesla. But how fast is it? First, the numbers: the 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine puts out 545 horsepower and 463 lb-ft of torque, and it will get you from 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds due to its all-wheel drive design.

Made for amateur drivers, the GT-R has a launch control system that makes full use of its grip so you can peel away from that red light with minimum tire screeching. Now compare that to the 2016 Nissan Altima that will get you from 0 to 60 in 6.0 seconds, which is slower than both the Honda Accord and real close to the Toyota Camry.

2017 Tesla Model S with Ludicrous Plus Upgrade

The Tesla Model S broke records in 2017 by accelerating from 0 to 60 in 2.28 seconds. Yes, this car is still considered street legal and it will cost you over $100,000.

2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon

Just like the Tesla Model S, the Dodge Challenger will give you a 0-60 time in 2.3 seconds. You can pick up this speed demon for around $85,000. This is still considered a muscle car and will heat things up at your local, sanctioned drag race. The Demon comes with a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. It cranks out 808 hp, and that can be increased to 840 hp with the Demon Crate package.

2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus

If you still race Forza Motorsport, then you know that Audi is famous for making some of the fastest cars in the world. The 2018 Audi R8 will get you a 0- 60 time in 2.6 seconds. But, just like all the other super fast cars, the price tag is around $160k.

5 Affordable Cars With The Most Impressive 0-60 Time

If the above 5 cars are out of your price range but you still want a decent 0-60 time, consider this list. If you can sacrifice a second to save thousands of dollars than consider these top rated cars.

2016 Honda Accord

OK, so now you know how fast the fastest cars in the world are, and without even looking at the Mclaren, Ferrari, or Lamborghini, you were still looking at some very expensive cars. So what about good ole dependable Honda? How fast do their fastest cars go? The 2018 Honda Accord 0-60 time is not yet available. However, the 2016 Honda Accord Touring Coupe, you’ll see it scored 5.6 seconds from 0 to 60. This is only a second slower than the Porsche 718 Cayman.

Honda CR-V

The 2017 Honda CR-V Touring AWD speed record for 0 to 60 mph is 7.5 seconds. That’s a good two seconds slower than the Accord, but that’s not surprising. Hopefully, it doesn’t take you longer than 8 seconds to enter a highway (it shouldn’t, mine accelerates just fine).

Honda Civic Type R

The 2017 Honda Civic Type R goes an impressive 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. That’s the same speed record as the Porsche 718 Cayman, and the Civic will cost you appreciatively less money. On the other hand, the 2017 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hatchback will get you 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds. Hey, that’s less than 7!

Toyota Camry XSE V6

For the sake of comparison, I had to check out what Toyota’s numbers were to compare against Honda. Sure enough, they are pretty close. While the 2018 Toyota Camry’s numbers aren’t available yet, the 2017 Toyota Camry XSE V6 went from 0 to 60 in 6.1 seconds. This is the best of all the Camrys. While slower than the Accord, that’s not surprising as the Camry is known for a very average engine.

Toyota CH-R

For most of the Toyota line, they average a whopping 7 seconds to go 0 to 60. So, for fun, I thought I’d share their slowest accelerator. It happens to be their newest car: the 2018 Toyota CH-R. It goes 0 to 60 in 10.7 seconds.

Over to You

What it comes down to is you’re really splitting hairs. In most cases, it’s the differences of less than a second (especially when comparing Honda Accord to Toyota Camry). So, unless you’re a professional race car driver who’s going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a sports coupe, then anything in the 5 to 6-second range for a 0-60 time will get you off that Stop sign pretty darn quick.